June 2, 2022

Should I Pull My Child’s Loose Tooth, A Pediatric Dentist’s Response?

A pediatric dentist’s rapid response: Do not pull your baby’s loose teeth. Because it is difficult for children to chew with a loose tooth, you may be inclined to help them remove it. In reality, you should let the tooth fall out on its own. Even if the loose tooth is giving your child discomfort or irritation, it is preferable to wait rather than force it out.

What you should know about crooked teeth

Consider a tooth to be a screw in a plaster wall. If you use pliers to remove the screw, you’ll wind up ripping a section of the wall out with it. The wall, on the other hand, will be less damaged if you detach the nail gently. The same goes for baby teeth. The gums and connective tissues in the mouth keep the teeth in place. Pulling teeth out too hard or too soon might damage the soft tissues and cause severe bleeding or pain in the roots. The absence of discomfort indicates that the tooth is suitable for extraction. If the youngster can rotate or turn the tooth 90 degrees without pain, it is most likely due for removal.

Taking Care of Loose Teeth

Tell the youngster to shake the tooth with their tongue if they are ready to lose it, but keep their hands away from it until the tooth is almost ready to be extracted. Keeping your fingertips away from your mouth also helps to avoid the spread of germs.

If the youngster continues to pull, rotate, or wiggle the teeth, give them an apple. Biting down on the apple with sufficient force may dislodge the tooth (if it is ready for extraction) or loosen it in its socket without causing injury to the gum tissues.

Help the youngster cut foods into little pieces or supply soft foods if the loose tooth is causing sensitivity. Chewing will cause the tooth to loosen gradually, but this will assist reduce pain from biting and tearing the food. Encourage the child to clean and floss their teeth on a regular basis. If the tooth has been loose for an extended period of time, you should contact or visit a pediatric dentist.

Understand your child

Children react to their first loose teeth in different ways. Some people find the scenario fascinating and are unconcerned, while others may be concerned that a part of their body is acting abnormally. Some kids will wriggle and pull their teeth, while others will refuse to use or touch them at all.

Last words

You’ve most likely forgotten how it felt to have your first loose tooth. A loose baby tooth is common and signifies the onset of permanent teeth. Reassure your youngster that the discomfort they are experiencing is only brief. Tell them that it’s typical for a baby tooth to loosen and fall out, only to be replaced by adult teeth growing underneath. Do not attempt to pull the tooth out of its socket. Contact a pediatric dentist if you have any more questions or concerns.